Outline and Guide for Learning

Medical Image Characteristics and Quality Factors

Resources and References
The Physical Principles of Medical Imaging
Online Module
Online Textbook
Visuals for Discussion

A General Mind Map relating visibility to specific image characteristics

INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW
Significance of Image Characteristics
Topics to be Covered

MEDICAL IMAGE CHARACTERISTICS
Contrast
Blur
Noise
Artifacts
Spatial and Geometric

CONTRAST
Image Contrast
Concept
Visual Appearance
Object Contrast
Concept
Imaging Modality Specific
Procedure Contrast Sensitivity
Concept
Clinical Significance

BLUR
Concept
Effects On:
Visibility of Anatomical Detail
Image Sharpness
Spatial Resolution
Range of Values For:
Mammography
Radiography
Fluoroscopy
Computed Tomography
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Ultrasound
Gamma Camera
Positron Emission Tomography

VISUAL NOISE
Concept
Visual Appearance
Effect on Visibility of Objects and Structures
 

ARTIFACTS
Concept
Visual Appearance
Imaging Modality Specific
Clinical Significance

SPATIAL AND GEOMETRIC
Concept
Imaging Views
Projection
Tomographic
Volume and 3D
Geometric Magnification
Concept
Factors Affecting Magnification
Clinical Significance
Distortion
General Concept
Size Distortion
Shape Distortion
Position Distortion
Location Distortion

IMAGE VIEWING CONDITIONS
Object Characteristics that Affect Visibility
Size
Contrast
Edge Sharpness
Background
Viewing Conditions
Image Luminance (Brightness)
Glare
Room Illumination
Distance

OBSERVER PERFORMANCE
Concept and Overview
Diagnostic Performance
Sensitivity
Specificity
True Positive
False Positive
True Negative
False Negative
Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) Curve
Concept
Human Operating Point
Clinical Applications